Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, BMW
BMW M3 could campaign in 24 hours of Le Mans
click above to view more high-res live shots of BMW M3 ALMS race car
When it comes to racing, diversity is key. Who doesn't love to root for their favorite brand to win against its fiercest rivals? We hope that BMW gets its latest M3 certified by the FIA in time for a showdown against with the Corvette and others in Le Mans GT racing, which will institute a new set of rules for the 2010 season. There's more than one way to get horsepower from a V8 engine, as clearly demonstrated by these two diametrically opposed class competitors. Team Corvette's brute strength and low-down grunt would go up against finesse and high-strung reviness from BMW. Kinda reminds us of the classic Ford versus Ferrari feuds of the '60s. In any case, BMW now needs to work with the FIA to get its racer properly sanctioned and approved, as it has already done for the American Le Mans racing series. Git 'r done, folks.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3seriesisking 8:34AM (10/07/2008)
I really hope they get it in, that would be awesome.
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Brian 9:01AM (10/07/2008)
Why did they use the 4 door version?
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3seriesisking 9:30AM (10/07/2008)
That's a two-door my friend.
Reader 9:41AM (10/07/2008)
Are you counting the trunk and the hood, because their are only two doors.
Casper 9:46AM (10/07/2008)
I see 2 doors, sir.
Brian 10:26AM (10/07/2008)
You all are so right, my bad, I glanced at it and the shadow under the mirror appeard to be a handle, bad eyes!
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bob 11:05AM (10/07/2008)
The gills behind the rear wheels are hideous but otherwise it's HOT.
I love the exhaust and the design between them for the rear valence. Too bad the regular car has the exhausts so close together and not as aggressive.
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Tad 11:12AM (10/07/2008)
Corvette, Aston, Ferrari, Porsche, Dodge, Ford and possibly Audi and BMW...sounds like a great lineup. I cant wait!
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Robin 11:12AM (10/07/2008)
Sweet car!! This is a sweet bmw...it proves that bmws arnt just a looks car they are also a sprots car that also have lots of power...its so awsome!!
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W204C63AMG 3:36AM (10/08/2008)
You're absolutely right about sprots cars. I love them. Broccori bikes are nice too.
Robin 11:38AM (10/28/2008)
Hey yeah i love this car...but whats a broccori bike...never herd of them before. What are they?
jerryl 12:10PM (10/07/2008)
I'm very glad to see them returning to ALMS and FIA GT......the more brands the better for everyone. How-ver you do realize the Corvettes will be so handicapped it will be a real concern. Expect major weight, aero, and intake restrictions, on the Vettes to keep them from running away. A normal "low tech" Nascar spec 6.0 Chevy puts out a very reliable 875 HP. Imagine what a "hightech" ALMS Katech built 5.5 LS3 will be capable of...... Look for all kinds of restrictions.
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JamesWB 10:17AM (10/08/2008)
You do realise that the NASCAR engines are nothing like the LS engines right?
inlinesix 1:13PM (10/07/2008)
Having the car approved by the FIA has nothing to do with Le Mans... The 24hr of Le Mans is sanctioned by the ACO. FIA's own GT racing is considered 2nd tier in Europe. Also, Le Mans is invitational. BMW have to win their class or be the runner up in ALMS in order to even get invited. Whoever wrote the article has no clue about GT racing
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Kiiks 4:20PM (10/07/2008)
Well, the ACO and FIA are in fact trying to reconcile their GT classes, so the author isn't really that wrong, but if the car is already been homologated for ALMS, then it most likely has the blessing of the ACO and therefore just needs an invitation to the 24 Hours. My guess is that since BMW hasn't had a sports car entry in years, they'd get an invitation just because they built the race car.
So much for a PLM debut though, maybe I'll see it when I'm down in Laguna Seca for the finale.
Anyone else going?
Luis 2:13PM (10/07/2008)
Things are looking good for ALMS in the future...and Mr.K; "Git 'r done" is that other racing series...
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duo 3:06PM (10/07/2008)
Can anyone confirm if those wheels are the BBS Forged Aluminum RE Monoblocs?
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RLQ 6:10PM (10/07/2008)
Sweet
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robin 11:42AM (10/15/2008)
Yeah...what is a broccori bike...never heard of it. I like Suzuki bikes cause well i own a 2008 suzuki gsxr 1000...Its an extremely fast bike and does sweet wheelies. I LOVE IT!!